Slingshot hunting: State by State

learnin' · Feb 12, 2015

TENNESSEE

LEGAL FOR NON-GAME SPECIES

Per e-mail from DNR:

"It would be legal to take rats, pigeons, starlings and European house sparrows with a slingshot."

learnin' · Feb 12, 2015

August West said:
NORTH CAROLINA

LEGAL FOR NON-GAME SPECIES

Per e-mail conversation with DNR:

DNR: "There are no relevant regulations because a slingshot is not a legal weapon to take game in the state of North Carolina."

ME: "Thank you. Does this mean that non-game "nuisance" species, such as rats, starlings, European house sparrows, etc. also may not be taken with a slingshot?"

DNR: "Rats are not game animals so it probably is not against the law to use a slingshot to kill them. In North Carolina it is against the law to kill songbirds of any kind including starlings and sparrows."

The use of the word "probably" by the DNR representative scares me.

Whoever emailed you does not know what he is talking about. English Sparrows and Starlings are not considered song birds and may be shot on sight.

Thanks, @August West. If you are able to find and post a link to what NC defines as songbirds/not songbirds, I'll include a link to that in my summary.

learnin' · Feb 12, 2015

I'm very close to having an answer on Delaware. If anyone has time to try calling Connecticut, Indiana, or South Carolina during East Coast work hours they are proving to be the last holdouts. Ii have e-mails out to all three of these, but they are taking their sweet time to reply and I can't make phonecalls like this during work hours.

*** Be sure to ask about both game species and non-game species. ***

learnin' · Feb 12, 2015

DELAWARE

LEGAL FOR UNPROTECTED SPECIES ONLY

Per e-mail from DNR:

"Slingshots are not a legal method of take for any game species in Delaware, except for unprotected species, which are woodchucks, house sparrows , starlings, pigeons and Norway rats. In terms of harvesting these species on public property a permit would be required."

learnin' · Feb 13, 2015

INDIANA

LEGAL (EXCEPT FOR DEER AND TURKEY)

Per e-mail from DNR:

"Slingshots are not legal to take white-tailed deer and wild turkeys. Slingshots can be used to take fox and gray squirrels, cottontail rabbits, pheasants, quail, foxes, coyotes, skunks, raccoons, opossums, beavers, muskrats, mink, and long-tailed weasels. Slingshots are also allowed for species that are not protected such as groundhogs, chipmunks, rats, mice, European starlings, English sparrows, rock pigeons, and monk parakeets. Turtles and frogs cannot be taken by the use of a slingshot per 312 IAC 9-5-6.

Specifications for equipment are authorized for deer in 312 IAC 9-3-3 and wild turkeys in 312 IAC 9-4-11; prohibited methods of taking mammals are in 312 IAC 9-3-18. 312 IAC 9 can be found on-line at: http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/iac_title?iact=312 . You will need to click on Article 9 for Fish and Wildlife."

learnin' · Feb 13, 2015

Still need South Carolina and Connecticut.

I have e-mails out to both of these, but if anyone here can contact them during work hours today and get the answer it would be helpful. Be sure to ask about both game AND non-game species.

BTW, we are currently at 30 of 48 states that allow some form of hunting with a slingshot. My guess is that this has the potential to increase to 31 once these last two states are in.

learnin' · Feb 13, 2015

SOUTH CAROLINA

LEGAL FOR SMALL GAME AND UNPROTECTED SPECIES

Per e-mail from DNR:

"- Does your state allow slingshots to be used to hunt anything (small game, nuisance/varmint species, etc.)?

Yes, because state law does not specifically prohibit the use of slingshots for small game they can be used.

They cannot be use for big game because big laws specifically mentions weapons that are allowed (archery, guns, etc.) and it does not include slingshots.

They cannot be used to hunt migratory birds because the Federal Code does not mention slingshots as being allowed.
*** Note: I received a slightly different answer when I e-mailed the Feds specifically about doves http://slingshotforum.com/topic/40597-slingshot-hunting-state-by-state/?p=507109 ***

- If so, what is permitted (type of game, private/public land, etc.)?

See above. This applies to private and public land.

- Is there someplace online where I can see the relevant regulations?

No, again, for small game including "varmint" species slingshot are not specifically prohibited, therefore, they can be used.

Even if game animals are not permitted to be taken with a slingshot, please specify whether slingshots may be used to take non-game species such as rats, pigeons, starlings, European house sparrows, etc.

There are no weapons restrictions on unprotected species like pigeons, starlings, European sparrows, etc., therefore, slingshots can be used."

learnin' · Feb 13, 2015

FEDERAL LAW PERTAINING TO MIGRATORY BIRDS

I e-mailed the Division of Migratory Bird Management and specifically asked about doves. Here is the reply I got.

"Federal hunting regulations are contained in 50 CFR 20.21. You can find them at the attached link.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=7feda7e2202ee67e2aff478d8a1ab34c&node=se50.9.20_121&rgn=div8

Technically, I don't think a slingshot would be Federally prohibited, however, you'll need to check your individual State's hunting restrictions and requirements. States can always be more restrictive than Federal regulations."

If you follow the link above, that section of the Code defines what methods are illegal for migratory birds. Slingshots are NOT listed as illegal, so therefore are considered legal as long as they are not prohibited by the State.

learnin' · Feb 13, 2015

CONNECTICUT

LEGAL FOR NON-GAME SPECIES ONLY

Per e-mail from DNR:

"In CT, a slingshot is not included in the list of "legal hunting implements", therefore would not be allowed to hunt any regulated game animal. As far as non game species such as rats, DEEP does not regulate their take."

learnin' · Feb 13, 2015

SUMMARY OF ALL 50 STATES
All results are based on 2014-2015 hunting regulations.

State
Slingshots Allowed?

Yes means slingshots are allowed in some capacity.
No means not allowed in any capacity.

learnin' · Feb 13, 2015

***** PLEASE NOTE *****

Per discussions with the moderator, this thread will be closed to further posts. A new thread has been opened in the Slingshot Hunting sub-forum that will be pinned for easy reference. That thread is located here:

http://slingshotforum.com/topic/40953-slingshot-hunting-laws-all-50-states/?p=507134

zippo · Feb 13, 2015

a post before its locked

zippo · Feb 13, 2015

Great thing you done here, a great way to enter the forum !

Slingshot hunting: State by State

learnin'

Registered

learnin'

Registered

learnin'

Registered

learnin'

Registered

learnin'

Registered

learnin'

Registered

learnin'

Registered

learnin'

Registered

learnin'

Registered

learnin'

Registered

learnin'

Registered

zippo

A former WoodPigeon

zippo

A former WoodPigeon